CAF at MacDill will be service-wide, build on YOAFF

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  As designed, the Comprehensive Airmen Fitness initiative provides a structure and system for improving the lives and work of Airmen, but each command has the latitude to emplement customized elements to meet specific needs.

The process now for the 6th Air Mobility Wing will be to identify specific needs to help Airmen at MacDill and integrate programs designed to meet those needs with the overall CAF goals of Air Mobility Command.

Col. David Cohen, 6th AMW vice commander, said MacDill has a head start on implementation of CAF, with a planned continuation of programs and support tools put in place as part of the Year of the Air Force Family over the past year.

"We now have a way to formalize and engrain the culture -- the actions, support and programs (that were part of YOAFF) -- and make them permanent fixtures reflecting the way Air Mobility Command cares for and treats Airmen and families," said Colonel Cohen, who added that the 6th AMW is operating from a solid base and starting point after experience with new programs and support initiatives that were part of YOAFF. "It's a continuation of those initiatives," and there will be more added.

CAF comes with "some funding," which will help make the kinds of services the CAF vision encompasses a reality at MacDill, said Colonel Cohen. The new, fortified services the CAF budget funds are being developed now, with an eye toward supporting the unique needs of MacDill Air Force Base, Colonel Cohen said.

Just as with the YOAFF, the CAF will be treated as not just an Air Force program, but one that supports all branches based at MacDill.

"It will be implemented across all services," said Colonel Cohen. "Just as YOAFF was treated (here) as Year of the Military Family."

Col. Donald Barnes, 6th Mission Support Group commander, sees CAF as a way to focus support efforts and create greater synergy.

"The CAF initiative combines critical base support elements that were historically available, but functioned independently," said Colonel Barnes. "All commanders and first sergeants work hard to take care of their Airmen and families, but the CAF now focuses base efforts, ultimately ensuring all levels of wellness are addressed."